CD Reviews

First CD I ever purchased

R. M. Ettinger | Cleveland Heights, OH USA | 04/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is the sole reason (well, I got Kate Bush's 'The Hounds of Love' the same day) I purchased my first CD player back in 1985. I actually bought the CDs before the player.Sure, I had heard "O Superman" from 'Big Science' a few years prior, but it did not do enough for me to go out and get the album. Excerpts that I heard from 'United States Live I-IV' were great, but I was a poor college student and could never justify purchasing it.A friend (thanks Jon) had turned me on to "Language is a Virus" and "Smoke Rings" and we went to go see the movie and I was majorily in awe. Some of the soundtrack items are more clear and concise than the movie ("Language is a Virus". Conversely, somethings worked better on film ("Radar", "White Lily").But either by video or audio - Laurie Anderson never fails to keep me interested and/or entertained.It is unfortunate that the movie is not out in DVD - because as companion pieces, they soundtrack and movie are phenomenal."

Moments of captivating brilliance....

David A. Robson | San Francisco, CA USA | 07/23/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Some of the songs on this are better experienced in the film (the version of "Language is a Virus" in the film is some of Anderson's grittiest and best work - the version on this disc is over-produced and glossified), but many songs here stand perfectly on their own. "White Lily" and "Radar" cast beautifully haunting moods (each in less than three minutes!). And the ending of "Late Show" gives you chills after even a hundred plays. Not her best album, yet it contains some of her finest, simplest work."

A transitional masterpiece with moments of pure brilliance.

brucewh@pacbell.net | Chatsworth, California | 01/04/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Laurie Anderson's "Home of the Brave" is more experimental and less overtly musical than the more well-known, "Strange Angels" album. The artist blends her performance art presentation skills with a wildly experimental musical score to produce a unique landscape of sounds and lyrical images which some listeners will find challenging. However, if you are willing to let yourself go and enjoy it, you will find yourself well rewarded for your faith. There are plenty of funky, singable hooks in "Home of the Brave", such as the infectious chorus of "Language is a virus". However, this album is also chock full of unusual sounds and experimental instruments which may lead the timid, pop-oriented audience to squeal, "This is music?!" More adventerous spirits will gleefully respond in the afirmative. Laurie dons a suit of triggers and plays an electronic drum set by dancing and pounding on parts of her body. Guitarist Adrian Belew plays his guitar with various household items, and at one point creates a sound somewhat like an elephant's roar. The most unusual effect on the album is created using an electronic violin and bows strung with taped sound samples. Love it or hate it, the resulting sound is indescribable, and unforgetable. Few artists are capable of this level of experimentation, and even fewer are this successful. This album, as experimental as it is, is perhaps most impressive in it's consistency. Laurie Anderson fans will be hard-pressed to find a "dud" in the bunch. Considering the high-wire act that this album represents, that is no mean feat."

"Mister Heartbreak is Laurie Anderson'e best release, closely followed by Home of the Brave , and then Big Science.On HOTB it is Late Show's blend of rhythm, synth and sax which really shines, though Language is a Virus is very good- with very funny poke at 'tv people'.

I have never seen the movie , and IT IS A CRYING SHAME THAT NO DVD OF HOME OF THE BRAVE IS AVAILABLE -SO COME ON WARNER BROTHERS! GET IT SORTED!